GOP’s Border Blitz: 9 Bills to Crack Down on Immigration
From AI to bio-detection, House GOP’s latest moves signal stricter controls—and a looming clash over who pays for it.
WASHINGTON — On Monday, House Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to bring nine bills to the House floor, each with significant implications for immigration enforcement. We’ve provided a complete list below, along with some of their enforcement impacts.
The broader context of Monday’s enforcement push is that House Republicans aim to pass a legislative framework that can be funded through the ongoing budget reconciliation process between the GOP majorities in the House and Senate.
By advancing a series of unfunded enforcement mandates, such as the Laken Riley Act, GOP hardliners hope to gain leverage in the funding process—particularly in the House, which the Constitution grants the power of the purse.
The irony of these unfunded enforcement mandates is hard to ignore at a time when illegal crossings have plummeted, a fact overshadowed by Trump’s larger goal for budget reconciliation: more unfunded tax cuts.
Immigration enforcement remains popular with Trump’s base, though deportations are losing broader appeal compared to the height of last year’s xenophobic messaging battles during the elections.
Tax cuts, especially for the wealthy and corporations, are decidedly unpopular—particularly when they come at the expense of entitlements. Senate Republicans are already attempting to use accounting tricks (see: “Current Policy Baseline”) to get away with massively unfunded tax cuts.
So, the key to understanding immigration enforcement funding over the coming weeks and months lies in how it intertwines with a tax-cut package. This policy paradox will fuel increasingly complex legislative negotiations well into the summer, at least.
Big questions loom, such as how the federal government will pay for enforcement mandates like the nine listed below, which are slated for votes on the House floor tomorrow (Monday) beginning at 6:30 PM Eastern (House floor livestream available here) —
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NINE HOUSE BILLS ON MONDAY
H.R. 495 – Subterranean Border Defense Act
Purpose: This bill aims to enhance efforts to detect and prevent underground tunnels at the border, a growing concern for smuggling drugs, weapons, and people.
Impact: DHS would gain more resources and authority to monitor subterranean trafficking methods, making it harder for illegal border crossers to bypass conventional checkpoints.
H.R. 706 – DHS Bio-detection Improvement Act
Purpose: This bill enhances DHS’ capacity to detect biological threats at border entry points, such as diseases or bio-terrorism risks.
Impact: Immigrants could face additional health screenings and delays, particularly those entering via land ports of entry, as DHS boosts its surveillance capabilities.
H.R. 862 – TSA Commuting Fairness Act
Purpose: Focuses on improving fairness for TSA workers and enforcement personnel, potentially easing border-related security tasks.
Impact: Although this bill is primarily aimed at airport security, it could lead to faster and more efficient processing at land-based border security checkpoints, indirectly impacting immigration flows.
H.R. 708 – SHIELD Against CCP Act
Purpose: This legislation seeks to prevent the Chinese Communist Party’s influence on U.S. technologies, including border security technologies.
Impact: Foreign nationals, particularly from adversarial nations, might face even more scrutiny and delays at U.S. border entry points due to heightened national security concerns.
H.R. 901 – Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act
Purpose: Focuses on securing DHS research and ensuring transparency in how new border security technologies are implemented.
Impact: The bill could lead to more advanced surveillance tools at the border, potentially resulting in more invasive monitoring of immigrants attempting to cross into the U.S.
H.R. 993 – Emerging Innovative Border Technologies Act
Purpose: Aimed at advancing border security with cutting-edge technologies like AI and drones.
Impact: Immigrants crossing the border may find themselves under increased surveillance, with new technologies potentially making it easier for authorities to track and apprehend those attempting to enter illegally.
H.R. 1166 – Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependency Act
Purpose: This bill aims to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign technology for border security, ensuring DHS has the autonomy to act independently.
Impact: A more self-sufficient DHS could mean stricter border controls and faster deployment of advanced technology to monitor immigrant activity.
H.R. 1692 – PATHS Act
Purpose: Focuses on improving DHS coordination with other federal agencies to streamline border security operations.
Impact: While this could improve efficiency, immigrants may experience faster processing times, but potentially harsher evaluations as multiple agencies collaborate to enforce strict border policies.
H.R. 1374 – Securing the Cities Improvement Act
Purpose: This bill seeks to enhance security in cities near the border, including improving intelligence sharing among law enforcement agencies.
Impact: Urban immigrant communities could face increased security measures, with greater pressure on local law enforcement to assist in federal border control efforts.
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The bills reflect the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to tighten border security. They provide DHS with more power to surveil, apprehend, and monitor immigrants—especially those from countries deemed "high risk." With an increasing emphasis on advanced technology and national security, DHS is set to receive greater autonomy in its operations at the U.S.-Mexico border and other entry points.
The growing role of DHS in border enforcement, alongside the deployment of more surveillance technologies, could make it even more difficult for immigrants to cross the border. With stricter controls, faster deportation measures, and heightened scrutiny, immigrants—particularly those seeking asylum or entering for work—may face greater obstacles.
The Congressional game plan for immigration is becoming clear. The GOP-led House Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees are determining where most immigration policy funding will go. They are crafting legislation to allocate this funding and expand the Department of Homeland Security's authority to enforce the administration's immigration policies. Today, we see the Homeland Security Committee's policy priorities and its immigration budget allocation.
Impact on Immigrants: What You Should Know (Summary)
While the primary focus of these bills is to bolster border security, the implications for immigrants are significant. With DHS gaining more power to implement surveillance technologies like drones, AI, and biometric detection systems, immigrants crossing into the U.S. will likely face increased monitoring and longer delays at entry points.
Increased Surveillance: Technologies designed to detect illegal crossings and smuggling activities could lead to more invasive monitoring of immigrants, especially those attempting to enter for asylum or work purposes.
Faster Deportations: Bills that streamline processes for DHS and law enforcement agencies may lead to faster deportations for immigrants who fail to meet entry requirements.
Health and Security Screenings: Immigrants could face additional health screenings and security checks, particularly in the wake of legislation like the DHS Bio-detection Improvement Act, potentially slowing down the asylum process and border crossings.
National Security Concerns: Foreign nationals, especially from nations with tense relations with the U.S., may be subjected to more scrutiny, as security measures are tightened under the SHIELD Against CCP Act and other similar legislation.
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